How to achieve a Dodge score of 12 with a realistic character - is it possible?

[Anime Fan]

In one of the core GURPS rulebooks, it states that if you (your character) are planning on going unarmored, you should have a score of at least 12 in one or preferably several of Dodge, Parry, and Block. Question: Can this be done without making said character superhuman? To raise Parry and Block, you put points in melee weapon skill and shield/cloak skill, respectively. But your Dodge is based on your Speed+3. Speed, in turn, is (DX + HT)/4. To end up with a Dodge of 12, then, Speed must be at least a 9, which by my calculations requires DX and HT of 18 each (!), because (DX 18 + HT 18)/4 = 9, right? But I was embarrassed to play a character in D&D with such scores, much less in Gurps which is realistic. Is there another way to achieve Dodge 12 without creating Batman? I know that Combat Reflexes gives a +1, and that you can spend points to improve your Speed... is there anything else I'm missing, say an Advantage?

[Mathulhu]

Enhanced Defences (Dodge) +1 [15] is basically the same as +1 Basic Speed [20] and -1 Basic Move [-5]

A shield would be a good idea, a medium shield would raise a fairly average 10 to the desired 12.

Dodge is the best defence out there, apart from Blink but that's uber-dodge really, it is always going to be expensive.

[davidtmoore]

p. B17 allows you to buy your Basic Speed up by up to +2 in a realistic game, and Combat Reflexes adds +1. That drops your attribute requirement to a DX and HT of 12, which is positively banal. :)

EDIT: I was going to suggest Enhanced Dodge, but that's "definitely cinematic" according to the Basic Set. Basic Speed +2 is apparently realistic.

[vierasmarius]

Combat Reflexes should definitely not be ignored in this. With that, you need "only" Speed 8 (DX and HT of 16) which is approaching the realistic peak of human capability. Further, Speed can realistically be modified by up to +2.0. At that point you only need DX and HT of 12, which is reasonable for a slightly above-average athlete or soldier.

As for Enhanced Dodge, there may be realistic martial arts styles that include an Unusual Training perk allowing 1 level to be gained.

[Anthony]

Well, that's really a modified dodge score, so if you have a DB from a shield or cloak that works. In any case, the ways you can boost dodge without explicitly cinematic characters are:
High basic attributes (getting more than about a 7 basic speed/10 dodge from attributes starts looking superhuman)
Combat Reflexes (+1)
Increased Basic Speed (up to +2)
Defense Bonus from a Shield or Cloak (up to +3, though a large shield may not fit your image and also might reduce your speed due to encumbrance; a heavy cloak with a DB of +2 is more likely)
Acrobatic Dodge (+2, but only once per turn and requires a separate acrobatics roll).

So, a 'normal' person with, say, DX 15/HT 13, combat reflexes, increased basic speed +2, a heavy cloak, and acrobatics skill would have a dodge of 15, increased to 17 with an acrobatic dodge.

[whswhs]

There is also the Daredevil advantage, which gives you +1 to rolls when you're doing something reckless. Charging headlong into a fight, especially with someone better armed than you are, might count as reckless.

Bill Stoddard

[ErhnamDJ]

Originally Posted by whswhs

There is also the Daredevil advantage, which gives you +1 to rolls when you're doing something reckless. Charging headlong into a fight, especially with someone better armed than you are, might count as reckless.

Daredevil only adds to skill rolls. It won't help with Dodge.

[davidtmoore]

Originally Posted by Anthony

Acrobatic Dodge (+2, but only once per turn and requires a separate acrobatics roll).

On which note, of course, there's Retreating Dodge and the various other combat options that modify Dodge, for one or all dodges.

[gilbertocarlos]

+2 Basic Speed
+1 Combat Reflexes
+2 DX and HT

[DangerousThing]

Originally Posted by Anthony

So, a 'normal' person with, say, DX 15/HT 13, combat reflexes, increased basic speed +2, a heavy cloak, and acrobatics skill would have a dodge of 15, increased to 17 with an acrobatic dodge.

I have to look at Doc Wynn again. She has a 15 dodge with ETS, increased speed, and Enhanced Dodge. Of course she isn't even remotely realistic. Of course, she doesn't fight with a cloak or shield.

Of course, the OP wanted stats no higher than 12.

Edit: Ignore last sentence, please.